Chiefs’ Boys Relay Team Breaks A School Record

By Dexter Henry

“Do you see my team?” shouted Canarsie High School boys’ track head coach Kyle Allen, as Mau-rice Beaubrun was the first runner to cross the finish line in the final heat of the boys’ 4x400-meter relay last Friday at a Manhattan Armory.

Allen had every reason to be elated as the relay team broke the school record and now has the fastest time in the city this year as they finished with an overall time of 1:32.9seconds.

The Canarsie Chiefs track program is getting stronger each week, as the school has brought home medals from three consecutive meets. Earlier this month at the Jim McKay Memorial Team Challenge the boys and girls track teams combined to win 17 medals. The boy’s team finished first in a 22-team competition with the most overall points, while the girls finished eighth after ending last year near the bottom of the pack.

The girls relay team also continues to grow as it reached the finals of the 4x400-meter relay on Friday where they faced a tough Medgar Evers Mid-dle College squad.

“I expected them to qualify for the final heat against Middle College which is probably the fastest team in the state,” said Allen. “I told the girls if they are able to hang in and win a medal in that race, it would be a hell of an accomplishment because if they can run with them then they can run in the city championships and get a medal.”

The girls fell just short of a medal when they finished fourth in the final heat as they lost their hold on second place during the race’s second leg. “We may not have won, but are going to work hard and come back for them (Middle College),” said junior Megan Edwards.

Overall, Allen was proud of the girls and believes that they have nothing to hang their heads about. Many were frustrated after the race because teammate Samantha Bell was pushed by one of the Medgar Evers runners, but they understand they have to move on from that incident.

“Middle College is the top school right now, but I want them to know that Canarsie is stepping up,” said frustrated freshman Melissa Caddle. “We will get them next time; we will run and zoom past them.”

Coach Allen told the girls that being physical is part of the sport and he plans to better prepare them for that type of thing for upcoming events.

The boy’s relayed team cruised to their impressive victory as Fredens Villiere got off to a blazing start in the first leg of the 4x400 meter relay and Canarsie never looked back.

“It was great to get off to a good start because last week we got off to a bad start. This week we worked on it and came out champions. We broke the school record and we are going to do it again,” said Villiere.

Breaking the school record is very important to the boy’s team and they have their sights set on many goals this season. “Our goal is one minute and 27 seconds this year and I think we can get there,” said Jamor Hercules.

Both Canaries teams are eager to be successful this season, but the coaches and runner know that two things are definitely certain for success in future events — work harder and run faster.